Asperger's/ADD and daytime wetting?

Joined: 7 Feb 2008Age: 38Gender: FemalePosts: 454Location: in the connection between the ansibles

06 Mar 2008, 10:58 pm

My little boy (eight - edited because the number came out as a smilie. heh) seems to have wetting issues. He has about 7 seconds to get to the restroom after he notices that he "has to go" He wiggles/fidgets but I think some of it might be stimming, it doesn't hurt anyone and it's normally when he is in a good mood, but I have to ask him frequently "do you need to use the restroom, or are you just wiggly?"

I was wondering if anyone else had/has overcome or still suffers from this/has a child that still suffers from this. The urologist has suggested a "potty" schedule of every 2.5 to 3 hours until June to make sure it is not an overactive bladder.

When I as him if he has to go, half the time he will think a moment, then say "I just do not know." but when he DOES know, he has only about 7 seconds to get from wherever he is to the bathroom. He has to carry a change of clothes in his backpack and wears sweats for quick ... access.

This happened to me ALL THE TIME. I don't think I had ADD, or maybe I had it and was overcompensating. I think what was happening was that I had to hyper-focus to experience and understand things, and needing to go to the bathroom didn't register until it was too late. Explained another way, going to the bathroom interrupted what I was focusing on, so I unconsciously ignored having to go.

I was punished for doing this because my mother thought I was being obstinate. Once my dad admitted to her that he had had the same problem, I wasn't punished for wetting myself again.

For anyone out there who is frustrated with you're kids' soiling themselves, they probably can't help it, signals just aren't registering. And when you think about it, who would want to do THAT in their pants to send a message?

Z

P.S. I grew out of it, but not until the 2nd grade and bedwetting, not until the 4th grade.

My little boy (eight - edited because the number came out as a smilie. heh) seems to have wetting issues. He has about 7 seconds to get to the restroom after he notices that he "has to go" He wiggles/fidgets but I think some of it might be stimming, it doesn't hurt anyone and it's normally when he is in a good mood, but I have to ask him frequently "do you need to use the restroom, or are you just wiggly?"

I was wondering if anyone else had/has overcome or still suffers from this/has a child that still suffers from this. The urologist has suggested a "potty" schedule of every 2.5 to 3 hours until June to make sure it is not an overactive bladder.

When I as him if he has to go, half the time he will think a moment, then say "I just do not know." but when he DOES know, he has only about 7 seconds to get from wherever he is to the bathroom. He has to carry a change of clothes in his backpack and wears sweats for quick ... access.

It this common?

Am still have this problem,am not aware of the feel until it's about to happen.
It doesn't mean it stays into adult hood for all Auties or Aspies with this problem though,some gain the ability to feel it,others don't.
Some have it more severe than others and need to wear nappies all the time,am think lucky that am do not need them as am usually able to get to toilet on time.
From experience of living with Autistics [with all forms of Autism],it seems to affect Auties more than Aspies,not sure what causes it,eg,whether it could be sensory related,whether it could be executive dysfunction.....

One good thing to have for this problem is varnished wooden floors or vinyl carpet.

_________________>severely autistic.
>>the residential autist; http://theresidentialautist.blogspot.co.ukblogging from the view of an ex institutionalised autism/ID activist now in community care.
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I can't remember if I ever had this problem when I was a kid... I'm Adder.

I do have a problem in that I keep putting off going to the bathroom if I don't go immediately when I sense the need to.
I keep getting distracted until it's finally an emergency... or almost.
I'm 47.

Most of the time it's just a brisk walk for me, some occasions I do not make it before I 'leak' a tiny bit.
This is all about my reading the signals and making my mind focus on that need instead of wandering off on other things.
At work, I'll tell the folks I'm working with that I'm going to the potty (we have a board to check off where we are), then sometime later someone will ask me, "Didn't you say you were heading to the bathroom?". Oh yeah... and off I go!

This is one reason I love camping/living outdoors... I can stop and go anytime... anywhere!

Joined: 7 Feb 2008Age: 38Gender: FemalePosts: 454Location: in the connection between the ansibles

07 Mar 2008, 9:28 am

He ends up REALLY having to go about each time I don't ask him if he has to go or is just wiggly. I normally just send him to "try" regardless of his answer. He is in second grade (they did a simplified IQ test and he seems right on target there) and half the times the kids in his class will raise their hands and say "He has to go to the bathroom, Ms. Smith!"

Still, he ends up wetting himself about 3 times a week on average. We will have a good week, then the next one will be about every day to twice a day. They checked for infection, and no sign. The Urologist has classified this as "most likely a behavioral issue". Thus the potty schedule is born. I sent a note in with him for the teacher to start just sending him every 2.5 to 3 hours. Maybe if he just gets used to going on a set schedule the urge will just kind of follow him. If it is part of his routine, instead of a break from it, I am hoping he has a lot less "wet" days.

I think he has over-sensitive senses. His bed sheets need to be "cold" (soft cotton) and his comforter has to have a certain feel. He likes an almost dead quiet (not likely with 3 brothers), and gets a little stressed if he has to wear something other than his favorite outfits, and needs to ALWAYS have socks on. BUT, if he wets, half the time he will just sigh and sit in it. We have to ask him if he is wet when we smell it half the time. Then send him into the bathroom and bring him a change. I just don't understand that.

I have asked him (found him sitting there VERY wet playing a video game) if he likes to be wet, he thought a moment and said "Acccctuuualy, not really." Me: "You are wet now, don't you want a change of clothes?" Him: "(sighs) yes (sounds very annoyed)." Me: "Go into the bathroom and put those in the tub, I will bring you some new ones." Him: "(sigh) now?" Me: "Yes, now." He gets annoyed that he is wet, but it is equally annoying to have to change. People have asked me why I don't just put him in pull-ups, (which would fit, his Kindergarten brother and he are of a height, and he weighs a little less.) If I put him in pull-ups he would just decide that he didn't need to bother to try anymore.

I am just hoping that I can keep up the "potty" schedule, I lose track of time soooo often, I think that I am going to have to set the microwave timer or an alarm clock for it.

Its possible that he is so wound up in whatever he is doing that he 'tunes it out' a little. I stil have that problem and i am 31. I cant tell you how many times i have nearly wet my pants just from wanting to finish something i am working on without interruptions. I dont usually feel any warning from the ol' bladder until i REALLY have to go and then i am booking it to the restroom. WHen i am engrossed in something i just tune everything else out. Wish i could give you a solution, but i am still working on one for myself.

Its possible that he is so wound up in whatever he is doing that he 'tunes it out' a little. I stil have that problem and i am 31. I cant tell you how many times i have nearly wet my pants just from wanting to finish something i am working on without interruptions. I dont usually feel any warning from the ol' bladder until i REALLY have to go and then i am booking it to the restroom. WHen i am engrossed in something i just tune everything else out. Wish i could give you a solution, but i am still working on one for myself.

This is exactly my point. Your son, Detren, is in a zone in his brain that he enjoys being in - and taking a time out from the zone is very difficult. Its frustrating for you more than it is for him, now. But in another year or so he most likely won't want to be embarrassed in front of other people and will force himself to pay attention.

By the way, I hate it when doctors say this is a behavioral issue (even though it kind of is). Little kids have a really hard time changing their behavior on this one.

I am 27 and have aspergers. Dont sweat it because you are not alone, I have baan in diapers most of my life, i need them 24/7 now. Its not so bad, I just have learned to accept it as a part of who I am. I were abana xplus brand, thay can hold 64 oz. I have to change 5 times a day.

Joined: 7 Feb 2008Age: 38Gender: FemalePosts: 454Location: in the connection between the ansibles

30 Mar 2008, 9:41 pm

Well, we've been on the potty schedule for a little while now, and we have only had one accident. And, it was not the same issue. (we have a mirrored shower door, he was busy watching himself make faces in the mirror while he went and kind of only remembered to pull down his pants, so the underwear did not fare well.)

So glad this just seems to be a remembering to go thing.

So, try set schedules ! if there is nothing in your bladder you are less likely to "spill" heh. (he still sighs half the time when I say, "when was the last time you went? I think it's time to try again." The other half he says "oooh, yeah, it's been a while, I better go and try." He hasn't said so directly but I think he enjoys not being wet. (and my goodness, I wouldn't blame him.)

I can't remember if I ever had this problem when I was a kid... I'm Adder.

I do have a problem in that I keep putting off going to the bathroom if I don't go immediately when I sense the need to.I keep getting distracted until it's finally an emergency... or almost.I'm 47.

Most of the time it's just a brisk walk for me, some occasions I do not make it before I 'leak' a tiny bit.This is all about my reading the signals and making my mind focus on that need instead of wandering off on other things.At work, I'll tell the folks I'm working with that I'm going to the potty (we have a board to check off where we are), then sometime later someone will ask me, "Didn't you say you were heading to the bathroom?". Oh yeah... and off I go!

This is one reason I love camping/living outdoors... I can stop and go anytime... anywhere!

That tends to be my problem, putting it off. Or I simply do not notice that I have to go till I stand up and my whole body wiggles and I gotta rush to the pot. I have an outdoor potty inside the bedroom i live in, faster than going out the room down the hall and sanitizing the area before I use it. this way I can just run and open a lid sit and go